Hot Summers, and some Hotter Kitchens!
As anyone who came up in the 1970s might know all too well, kitchen design trends can go out just as quickly as they arrived. From dark cabinets to brassy finishes to bright color schemes to all-white everything, it can be challenging for any designer to predict which trend is on its way out and which is here to stand the test of time.
Not to mention that your kitchen is likely one of the most used spaces in your home, so your decisions need to hit on both design aesthetic and functionality. More than any other room in the house, storage and flow are key to a winning kitchen. But worry not—we’re here to lend a hand in sprucing up your space this summer with tips from some of our favorite designers and stylists.
When it comes to making design decisions, it’s always best to choose what suits your own taste and vision. If jewel-toned cabinets or bright backsplash tiles aren’t your speed, there’s nothing more timeless and elegant than a bright kitchen filled with light neutral tones and warm natural finishes. Whether you’re looking for a few fresh details or a complete overhaul of your space,here are a few tips and inspirations to add to your mood board.
Open air storage
More and more homeowners are ditching traditional closed cabinetry and opting for shelf storage in their kitchens. Though it can be more of a challenge to keep clean, it’s a perfect way to display some of your best dishware or decoration while opening up your space and allowing for more light to fill the room. For function’s sake, we’re big fans of the hybrid option—keep some full cabinets to hide your pantry and less visually appealing appliances—while showing off your prize collection with some floating natural wood shelves.
Interior stylist and author @em_henderson recommends starting by removing the doors from your cabinets to experiment with look and layout.
Decorative Details
One sure way to instantly freshen up any tired kitchen is with fun, eclectic decor updates. Plus it’s a great way to play around with different pieces without making a big financial commitment, or sacrificing space. Take the impressive vase collection in Elena's stunning Toronto home of @thishouse5000—though the color palette remains neutral, she plays with shapes to sizes to add dimension. However much you want to invest, you can give your space character and charm to spare, while still able to switch things out when it’s time for a new look. Look to local artisans or shop vintage stores to give your space some one-of-a-kind character.
Plants Plants Plants
After being confined to our houses for the last year, indoor plants have become celebrities in the world of interior design. In case you haven’t hopped on the plant train yet, we can say that they are worth the time and effort for the life and color they bring to any room, but especially the kitchen. If your kitchen has the necessary light and some extra space, the addition of some plants—whether they be cut flowers or potted greens—instantly provides some color. We love how Michele Martela of @michellemartelathome makes use of plants in her home to add some vibrancy to bright, neutral spaces.
We, for one, are hoping to keep this trend—and our adopted plants—alive for years to come.
What touches have you put on your kitchen?
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